Trip to Barcelona

[HRSE]

We are going to Barcelona next week to visit our daughter, who is spending a semester there. We like really good food in a casual, not stuffy or fancy setting that won't completely break the bank. After much cross-referencing, I think I have a list but I could use some help! We have 4 nights including Sunday (we know a lot of restaurants are closed).
Cinc Sentis
Comerc 24
Alkima
Gaig
Sauc
Cal Pep
Acqua

I kept reading great things about Abac and Drolma but they seem REALLY expensive.
Thank you!

[PBSF]

I assume Acqua you mean Agua, the seafood restaurant in Barceloneta. The Tragaluz chain who owns the restaurant are very professional with high standards, therefore, I assume Agua is no exception. The rest of your list are some of the "greatest" hits on this board. Cal Pep stands out by itself because it is informal with simpler food. The pick of the other 5 really depends what you are looking for in ambience and service. The cost will be about the same.
Abac and Drolma are probably the two most expensive restaurant in Barcelona. A tasting menu will be about 120E before wine. The food while inventive is more grounded and less molecular than the others. This is especially true for Drolma. While all restaurants in Barcelona are not "formal" in the sense of suit and tie, etc, these two are less casual than the rest of your list. Food wise, Sauc is very close to Abac because the chef/owner was the chef de cuisine at Abac.

[HRSE]

Thank you so much for your help! I'm thinking Aqua, Cal Pep, Sauc and Cinc Sentis. Would love your thoughts. Have heard a lot of good things about Alkima and Comerc 24 on these boards as well and we are all real foodies. Our vacations are remebered by the restaurants we go to so each one of the experiences is important to us. Not sure I mentioned this but we will also be celebrating our daughters 21st bday while we are there and I'm wondering if you think one of these restaurants is extra special.
Service is very important to us. Slow service, unless you tell me I need to expect this is Barcelona, drives me crazy. Ambience isnt as critical as long as the food is really good. We don't like stuffy or fancy but other than that we are happy to pay the price if the food is great!
Thank you!!

[PBSF]

As in my earlier post, your list including some of the best restaurants in Barcelona. Though there are some slight differences in the food, there is a similarity to their style of modern Catalan cooking. Comerc24 being the most adventureous and molecular to the more conservative Gaig. The ambience ranges from somewhat bland of Cinc Sentits, high designer of Comerc24, minimalist designer of Alkimia, luxury comfort at Gaig, simple and homey at Sauc. If you've done a little research on them and have somewhat of an idea what each has to offer, then I would go for it. If you mean Agua with a 'g' for Aqua, I have not been, therefore, can't comment. Cal Pep has appeared in tons of earlier posts, including a few of mine. It is different from the rest on your list.
Service is always a big issue when we dine out, especially at good restaurants. Each country has its own rhythm and etiquette and Spain is no exception. In the US, service tends to be prompt, snappy, somewhat familiar and without any slightest 'attitude' by the staff. Barcelona is a little more laid back. For the places on your lists, except Cal Pep, the table is yours for the entire lunch or dinner. To truly appreciate the food, expect at least 2 hours or more for dinner, especially if ones take any of the tasting menus. These are not eat and run, bang bang places. The pace is more leisurely because they don't have to turn the table. Restaurants such as Sauc, Cinc Sentits, Alkimia, Gaig are small and family owned. There is usually the husband as the chef and another family member plus one or two others staffing the dining room. Service is very professional but may not be as fined tuned as say Abac or Drolma which compare more to Michelin 2/3 star restaurants. Also the kitchen is not staffed by a huge brigade and there will invariably be pauses between courses during a long tasting menu. As for your daughter's 21st birthday, I would pick Comerc24; the ambience is more "designer", dressy, lively, fun with a diverse crowd. The food echos that, more playful, more molecular, more adventurous. One thing to keep in mind: the earliest that a restaurant serve is 1pm for lunch and 9pm for dinner. Tapas and pintxos places are earlier.

[daniellebluma]

I can't believe no one has mentioned inopia. It is Albert Adrias restaurant (Ferran of El bullis brother)- and it is casual, happening, absolutely delicious and hands down the best eating experience we had in spain. Albert was there the entire afternoon adjusting the music, greeting the customers- truly A+++++

Comerc was the opposite extreme. A complete let down, and my most anticipated meal of our trip- check out more about it (pics etc) and reviews of comerc & a bunch of other amazing Barcelona food spots here:

http://daniellegaronce.blogspot.com/2...